Carol Ann Quick -- 1946-2008

It's been awhile since I have made an update on here.

Today, I would like to pay tribute to my Aunt Carol Quick. Carol was my dad's sister, who had Downs Syndrome. Carol had such a tender loving heart. She was a happy go-lucky girl who loved music and to dance. She also loved jewelry and beads. Dad said at home where they lived on the farm, she loved to play with the chickens. Carol had a really rough life, as she had been institutionalized and hospitalized at two different times. She attended the Fountain Trainable Center for some years and loved every minute of it. I believe that was when they were just starting to be able to educate the mentally impaired. Carol never had the mental capacity of more than a four or five year old. After her mother could not care for her anymore, Carol lived in a foster home up in Frankfort, Michigan where she spent the remainder of her life. There is so much to learn from the people with Downs Syndrome. They all have such a big heart. They also trust anyone and have an unconditional love for others. They also don't judge others; they are trusting. Carol has obtained perfection in her new Home in Glory. One day we will see her again!

Jessica came home for a short visit...

Jess came home to attend the wedding of a friend from high school on Saturday, Sept. 13. She flew into Capital City Airport in Lansing late Friday night, the 12th. Keith went to pick her up and when she arrived at the house, she was surprised to find her Grandma Wittebols here for the weekend, too! She was so happy to see her! We didn't tell her she was going to be with us for a few extra days following her Grandma's week at Senior's Week at Maranatha Bible Conference in Muskegon. I had gone to pick her up Friday early afternoon and brought her back to stay so she could see Jess, as she doesn't get the chance to see her much. We figured we would keep it quiet, so Jess would be surprised. She was VERY surprised! :)

Saturday morning, she ran some errands and then came home and got ready for the wedding, which was at 2:00 PM. Then after the wedding, she came home and then went downtown and met a couple friends for dinner. She also spent the night at her girlfriend's house Saturday night. Sunday morning she attended church, then came home, ate a homecooked dinner with us and then spent the rest of the afternoon with us before packing up for her return ride to Lansing airport.

We decided, since we had to make a trip to Lansing anyway, that we would arrange for Keith's brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Judy, to meet us at the airport, so they could pick up Mom Wittebols to drive her back home. It worked out great. We were also greeted at the airport by my brother's fiance', Denise. We had a short visit with everyone and then said our good-byes to Jessica and headed back to Grand Rapids in the pouring down rain. The only negative thing about the weekend was all the rain. It rained almost non-stop from Friday noon until we arrived back to Grand Rapids from Lansing.

It was sure great seeing our daughter, even if it was just a short time. May the Lord continue to watch over her and bless her in a special way. God bless you, Jessica! You are missed!

Denise and Jess

Aunt Judy and Uncle Ken with Jess

Finally!....

Ok...so the house has been finished for a couple weeks now! We are pleased with the outcome of it. I just haven't taken the time to update the blog. I'm going to have to bring you up to date. This post will just show our new look on our house. :)

Out with the old....In with the new....look that is!!

Before any work was done...
Garage before
New roof put on garage
Shutters removed...house powerwashed to prepare for paint job
Paint job completed with doors painted dark blue...shutters (are ordered),

lights, mailbox, and numbers to be added yet.

We thank the Lord for providing the money for us to be able to do this. We also are thankful for our painter, Dylan, who did all the painting. He was so attentive to detail and wanted to do a good job. :) When we get the full new look totally finished, I'll have to post a picture of it as well. It shouldn't be too long.

An Anniversary Tribute to Mom and Dad....

Today we wish to congratulate my parents, Allen and Wilma, on 56 years together! You both have been a blessing to our family and we wish you many more years together. We also thank you for all the love and encouragement you've given us over the years. May God continue to bless you for many more years.

To celebrate this special day, we decided to meet Mom and Dad in Muskegon at Logan's Roadhouse for dinner.

At Logan's everyone has a huge bucket of peanuts in the shells on each table. The patrons are welcome to eat as many as they want and then throw their shells on the floor. They also serve warm made-from-scratch yeast rolls. Our food was delicious and our server, Eric, was great. No complaints whatsoever! :)
Normally, we don't have any room left for any dessert. However, they offered these "mini-bucket" desserts. They offered: strawberry cheesecake, hot fudge brownie, and Nutter Butter fudgeslide...YUM!! (We even got to keep the mini-buckets!)
All in all, we had a delicious dinner, wonderful fellowship, and just a really nice afternoon together before heading back home. Again, Congratulations, Mom and Dad! We love you very much!

Praise the Lord, Keith has Completed Another Summer at Freedom...

Keith has been blessed with the opportunity to be able to work here for a summer job doing maintenance for the last 16 out of 20 summers. This summer we are truly thankful for the hours he has been given. :)
Keith and Paul (the main Boss Man, who has been a blessing for Keith to work with all these years.) Paul has served the Lord by giving of his talents of maintaining the building and grounds of Freedom Baptist Schools for the last 19 years. Paul goes above and beyond the call of duty as the Chief Maintenance Man for Freedom.
Keith and his "Deere" ...JOHN DEERE

Keith has spend numerous hours on the "John Deere" mowing the ballfields as well as other lawn duties at the school. Along with the lawn duties, he has spent hours stripping and waxing tile floors, cleaning lights and heaters, and other "fun stuff" like that.

Thank you, Keith, for working so hard this summer. You have been working one full-time and two part-time cleaning jobs so that we can catch up on some financial obligations. You have always been willing to go above and beyond the call of duty, so to speak, when we have some things to be taken care of. Thank you for being such a blessing to our family and how you have been such a wonderful husband to me and a dad to Jessica. We truly are grateful to the Lord for blessing our family with your life. :)

More Family Reunion Pictures!

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